[The following story takes place shortly before the entrance of the Jedi Knight Revan and his Jedi into the Mandalorian War. The main character is Basilisk a former Mandalorian warrior who was sent to serve and train with the Jedi as a sign of good faith between Mandalore the Indomitable and the Jedi Order. The events of the Sith War lead Mandalore to side with Ulic Qel-Droma and Exar Kun, making Basilisk a traitor to his own kind. The story line traces the story of Basilisk and his fall to the Dark Side. The events are based off the Tales of the Jedi D6 Dice rolling game from West Ends Games.]
There was a knock at the door and Basilisk stopped polishing his armor, reaching for the lightsaber on his belt.
"Enter," he commanded. As he did, the door opened to reveal a gigantic human man. The bald man squeezed through the door and stood to his full height. He was unusually tall for a human, for he stood almost a full foot higher then Basilisk who towered above any average human.
"Ah Alek, to what do I owe the honor?" Basilisk asked the man.
"Basilisk, my friend, I have a preparation that might appeal to your nature," Alek of Quelli said with a charismatic smile. The Mandalorian gestured to two chairs set at a table and made his way over to them, taking a seat. Alek raised an eyebrow and took the seat opposite his fellow Jedi.
"What could be so important that you come to Dantooine from Coruscant just to see me?" Basilisk asked a smirk on his face.
"I assume you have heard of your people's war against the Republic?" Alek asked, leaning against the table.
Basilisk nodded in an affirmative. How own people going to war was something pay attention to, clean start to bloody finish.
"You are aware of the Council's proclamation about it?" Alek asked.
"I have," Basilisk replied, sourly. Since he was a Mandalorian, he prided himself on his skills in combat of all kinds. But now his skills were wasted, for the Jedi Council had declared that the Jedi Order was to take no part in helping the Republic defend itself.
"I sense that you plan on disobeying a direct order from the High Council," Basilisk said simply, furrowing his brow in concern.
"My friend is assembling any Jedi who wish to protect the Republic from the Mandalorians," Alek said. "You may have heard of him, I call him Revan, the others only know him as the Revanchist."
Basilisk chuckled at the name. Every Jedi had heard of the Revanchist; the Jedi who wished to take the battle to the Mandalorians with the help of the Jedi Council. "I have heard of him, Alek, you need not tell me," he said.
"My point is that the Revanchist is assembling Jedi to fight against the Mandalorians," Alek explained. "Your prowess in combat and knowledge of Mandalorian tactics and culture would go a long way in helping us win this war."
Basilisk shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Since the war began he was constantly being asked questions about his heritage to which he replied that he was honored to be a Mandalorian warrior.
"Well," he said uncertainly. "Every Mandalore has new tactics and battle plans and I only served under Mandalore the Indomitable, who took a different perspective then the current Mandalore. I would be of very little use in the field of battle strategy and tactics, but I am none the less honored that you chose to come to me to fight."
"I know I put you in a precarious situation with this offer," Alek said. "We know that it must be difficult for you to fight against your own kind as a Jedi no less. They will surely declare you a traitor."
Basilisk said nothing but stared at the table's metal surface, pondering. It had been years since he had fought in any combat, against a worthy opponent. However, he did not want to jeopardize the opportunity Mandalore the Indomitable had worked so hard to give him. He had told no one that when Mandalore the Indomitable swore an oath to the Krath he had been signed as a traitor by every Mandalorian in the galaxy. He would not be fighting his own kind, for those of his own kind were dead to him.
"When do we leave?" Basilisk asked.
"We'll have a transport here in a few days from the Republic to take the others to a base we have established else where," Alek said grinning that the Mandalorian had decided to side with him. "I will see you in a few days my friend," Alek said getting to his feet. "I want that armor shining so bright that I can find you from space amidst the pile of bodies."
Weeks past and eventually Basilisk found himself standing on the Enclave's landing pad, awaiting the Republic transport promised as the orange sun of Dantooine set in the distance. There were other Jedi as well, but no one spoke a word. Few scattered whispers occasionally broke the silence. He recognized some of the Jedi as those he trained with to be famed Jedi Guardians, Jedi who chose the way of the lightsaber. Though some were Jedi Knights, he saw that many still had a braid of a Padawan learner who had disobeyed their masters to fight for peace.
The group was covered by a large shadow as a Republic transport touched down. Steam shot out as the ship pressurized the interior and the landing ramp lowered to show two men. One of them stood far taller then the other, indicating that it was Alek. The other man was covered in a long brown cloak whose hood was pulled over, covering his face in shadow. The Revanchist. The man who would lead the Jedi against the forces of Mandalore the Ultimate.
"Jedi of Dantooine!" the Revanchist said in a booming voice. "You are members of an ancient and powerful order of beings who have sworn to protect the galaxy from evil."
"You have all chosen to fulfill the sacred vow by fighting to defend the Republic from the Mandalorian threat, by defying the masters of the Jedi Council who would have us sit, watch, and do nothing as our glorious democracy I swallowed by the Mandalorian tyranny," he said, his voice full of passion.
Basilisk couldn't help but agree with everything that he said. This man was leader, and he was natural at manipulating those around him to do what he wanted.
"I will not sit by idly and watch as innocents are slaughtered and the Republic's worlds are reduced to ashes. I will not watch from the side as innocents are enslaved and forced to fight against the Republic. I will not do nothing, and let the Mandalorians march unhindered to Coruscant and destroy our Republic! With your help I will lead the Republic to victory against Mandalore the Ultimate. We will stand together against the Mandalorians. We will watch as the Mandalorians are driven back into the Unknown Regions. And we will do everything and anything to preserve freedom!" He finished, raising a single hand in the air. Without hesitation, Basilisk raised his own in the air along with every other Jedi present. Any doubt that hung in the Jedi's hearts was banished and Basilisk knew that no matter what, they would be victorious.
